Drawing the Wrath of Islam ~ caricatures of Mohammed have given Mideast governments an excuse ...

BusinessWeek ^ | FEBRUARY 10, 2006 | Stanley Reed

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

A Danish paper's caricatures of Mohammed have given Mideast governments an excuse to fan the flames of fury and deflect attention from their own failings

Tensions between the West and the Islamic world, including the large Muslim communities in Europe, have reached alarming proportions. The most talked about development has been the hostile and violent reaction across the Middle East and South Asia to some crude cartoons derogatory to the prophet Mohammed and Islam published in a leading Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, last September.

The attacks on the Danish and Norwegian embassies in the Arab world and other rioting, some of it lethal, have taken place against a backdrop of unease in the West over the militant Islamic organization Hamas winning a majority of the Palestinian parliament and Tehran's defiance of the West over Iran's nuclear program. Are these the first battles of the much-feared "Clash of Civilizations" that Harvard professor Samuel Huntington warned about in 1993?

INTERNAL STRAINS.  The answer is no. But that such a conflagration could be set off by such a seemingly minor spark shows how strong emotions are running both in the Islamic countries and in the Muslim communities of Europe. Muslims in the Mideast are angry over a host of perceived insults, including the occupation of Iraq, while some Muslims in Europe consider themselves an oppressed minority subject to abuse and injustices. The recent strong showing by Islamic groups in elections in the Middle East is leading both governments and mobs on the street to flex their muscles.

But at their roots, these violent reactions may have more to do with profound pressures and shifts being felt in the Middle East and beyond than about hostility to the West.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

An excerpt......

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One clue: The main forces pushing the Danish government for an apology for the cartoons were not Islamic radicals such as al Qaeda. Instead, they were established Arab governments including Egypt, Syria, and Libya, as well as the conservative Saudis. The governments were moved to action when Danish Muslim groups came to them with complaints about the cartoons.

[lilylangtree]

Egypt, Syria, Libya, and Saudi Arabia--all governed by dictatorial despots over their citzenry. Keep the barefoot and ignorant and the citzenry will keep them as dictators.

[Spok]

All of this hysteria is obviously choreographed, but why? Are they just trying to build a consensus or do they intend to direct all of this ginned up hostility toward some goal? Or are they truly a silly, cruel and barbarous people?

[calex59]

To borrow from the muslims: Death to all who mock the western way of life. Freedom is good, death to all muslims. The right to talk about Mo doesn't give the muslims the right to mock my government and my freedom of speech or the type of life I want to live, death to islam, death to all unbelievers of freedom of speech!

Sound farmiliar?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

As the article says:

But at their roots, these violent reactions may have more to do with profound pressures and shifts being felt in the Middle East and beyond than about hostility to the West.

[livius]

I think they [Muslims] are "truly a silly, cruel and barbarous people."

However, that said, I think Iran is probably behind this, possibly working through the Muslim Brotherhood or possibly through its own channels. It has certainly diverted attention from Iran for a few days and has also, in Iran's mind, at least, made it look as if the world is full of a billion Muslims waiting to be stirred up to come to its defense.

[sgtbono2002]

We need to look at all this unrest as a Blessing in disguise. It has made them make their move before they were ready. Their intention is to make the whole world Islamic and dstroy anyone not Islamic, They havent hidden that, It is in their book the Koran. For years they have been infiltrating western countrie , never changing their true intentions only biding their time till it was right.
Now this cartoon has let slip their plans before they were ready. Any country with good sense will heed this warning.
Stop the Islamics now or die later.

[heldmyw]

Part of me wonders if the imams behind all the frenzy of the Islemmmings (Islamic+lemmings...you know those shrieking ninnies with the signs) aren't the biggest fools on the planet. How could they let this whole cartoon secret out? It's priceless!

As an oldest brother, picking on the weaknesses/fears of one's younger siblings was only just retribution for the babysitting and annoyance they gave. Besides, it was fun.

Got a fear of spiders? The dark? Hate raisins? I'll chase you around with a rubber spider at night flinging dried fruit at you until you're in hysterics! It's a big brother's duty! And it's fun!

So these loonies go into hysterical, screaming, hissyfits everytime someone shows a cartoon of a bearded guy, oh, let's say, performing an unnatural sex act with a pig? Wheeeee! You'll be a guaranteed source of amusement for years! Fun for all! (Well, mostly.)

How many people are out there right now, playing "make the Muslim's Head Explode" as they pen disgusting and hilarious cartoons to pass around the internet? Talk about making yourself a target!!

I can almost hear them: "Show us them buttons Al-BooBoo! We'd just LOVE to push 'em!" Let the fun begin!

[PeterFinn]

Brilliant. Well done.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

We need to look at all this unrest as a Blessing in disguise.

Yes, I agree....however ...so far all that the wetern politicians are doing is shutting down free speech....more here:

EU commissioner urges European press code on religion ...appeals to.. media ... to "self-regulate".

[calex59]

Thanks:)

[txhurl]

Denmark will be up to hear both Syria's assassination case and Iran's nuke case referrals to the UN security council.

[blueminnesota]

That's great! I'm ready to riot with you, what shall we burn? Whom shall we lynch? Amrika Akbar! (hey, why not?)

[blueminnesota]

Dude, but your younger brother never sawed off your head with a rusty knife for that.

[SeaBiscuit]

Islam is nothing but a big shell game, I wouldn't believe a word from any of them. Ack..ack ack ack..ack.. we come in peace.

[jusduat]

I think they do hate the west. They are (individually) so jealous, they must rage. Muslimes never take responsibility for anything that is wrong with them. Even little things like this: Dropped/broken plate,
Normal response..I dropped the plate.
Muslime response...The plate jumped from my hands.
They will only take 'credit' when they kill or destroy
that which is offensive to them.

[calex59]

I like the Amerika Akbar! We should incorporate that into any chant we get going in our "peaceful" protest, along with our rioting, killing etc. Maybe we can get a few prisoners and behead them! Of course they would all have to be muslims or we would lose the effect we are trying to create!

Glad you have joined me, that makes three so far:)

[knews_hound]

For more information on this manufactured "Crisis" mash here

I have my own theories as to why this and why now, but here are asome facts that might explain it;

Iran and Syria are trying to shape Euro Public Opinion and have decided to strike first as a Dane is about to assume leadership in the UN Security Council.

With a cowed EU at the helm of the UNSC, they can act with impunity and continue to threaten the West.

As is typical, they have overplayed their hand and their clumsy attempt to make the Danes grovel has backfired on them.

Living in a 3rd world dictatorship with 7th century technology and culture makes for a poor strategy.

Cheers,

knewshound

[Philistone]

Much of it is being orchestrated by Iran for obvious reasons (The demonstrations in Syria and Syrian-controlled Lebanon for example).

The recent Chavez outbursts are not unrelated. The UN Security Council Presidency will rotate from the US to Argentina in March, and Argentina is more and more under the influence of Chavez (debt forgiveness, subsidized oil, and, today, Chavez' announcement that the Falklands should be returned to Argentina as well as telling Tony Blair to go to hell).

This is a highly choreographed set-piece designed to draw attention away from Iran's nuclear programs and to stir up other Muslim countries (predominantly Sunni to Iran's Shia) to keep them from aligning with the US and Europe on the Iran affair.